This resource contains sample subpoena and evidence preservation language for various types of digital evidence.
Digital Forensics Resource Packet for Legal ProfessionalsRead More
Reports and Publications
Jan. 13, 2021 Statement of US Department of Justice on the PCAST Report
The US DOJ published a statement on the Sept. 2016 President’s Council of Advisors on Science and Technology (PCAST) Report, Forensic Science in Criminal Courts: Ensuring Scientific Validity of Feature-Comparison Methods. The DOJ explains its disagreements with the 2016 report in the statement. In summary, the DOJ’s position is that: Traditional forensic pattern examination methods—as currently practiced—do not belong …
Jan. 13, 2021 Statement of US Department of Justice on the PCAST ReportRead More
A Simplified Guide to Trace Evidence
Tiny fragments of physical evidence such as hairs, fibers from clothing or carpeting, or pieces of glass are examples of trace evidence, and can be transferred when two objects touch or when small particles are disbursed by an action or movement. This evidence can be used to reconstruct an event or indicate that a person …
Fire Research: Identifying Ignitable Liquids in Debris and Providing Error Rates to Strengthen Testimony
With funding from the NIJ, Dr. Michael Sigman and Mary Williams from University of Central Florida developed a method for analyzing fire debris samples that are highly contaminated with pyrolysis interferences. This technique provides an alternative objective method for classifying ignitable liquid residues, which is one of the only viable options for helping to progress …
OSAC Registry Approved Standards
The Organization of Scientific Area Committees for Forensic Evidence (OSAC) develops documentary standards for forensics through a standards developing organization or other consensus-based process that allows for participation and comment from relevant stakeholders. Standards under consideration as well as approved standards are available in the OSAC Registry. Standards are being developed for each forensic discipline.
AAFS Standards Board Documents
The American Academy of Forensic Sciences Standards Board develops documentary standards for forensics through a consensus process, involving participation by all directly and materially affected persons. The standards that have been published are available on the ASB website. Standards are being developed for each forensic discipline.
State of Michigan Governor’s Task Force on Child Abuse and Department of Health and Human Services: Forensic Interviewing Protocol
State of Michigan Governor’s Task Force on Child Abuse and Neglect and DHHS (2015). Forensic Interviewing Protocol (4th ed.)
Structured forensic interview protocols improve the quality and informativeness of investigative interviews with children: A review of research using the NICHD Investigative Interview Protocol
Lamb, M., Orbach, Y., Hershkowitz , Esplin,P ., Horowitz, I. (2007 ). A structured interview protocol improves the quality and informativeness of investigative interviews with children: A review of research using the NICHD investigative interview protocol. Child Abuse and Neglect. 31, 1201 1231.
Suggestibility of the Child Witness: A Historical Review and Synthesis
Ceci , S., Bruck, M. (1993). The suggestibility of the child witness: a historical review and synthesis. Psychological Bulletin. 113, 403 439.
Suggestibility of the Child Witness: A Historical Review and SynthesisRead More
Can Children Be Useful Witnesses? It Depends How They Are Questioned
Brown, D., Lamb, M. (2015 ). Can children be useful witnesses? It depends how they are questioned. Child Development Perspectives.
Can Children Be Useful Witnesses? It Depends How They Are QuestionedRead More
American Professional Society on the Abuse of Children (APSAC) Practice Guidelines: Forensic Interviewing in Cases of Suspected Child Abuse
American Professional Society on the Abuse of Children. (2012). Practice guidelines: Forensic interviewing in cases of suspected child abuse. APSAC.
Approved ULTR for the Forensic Firearms/Toolmarks Discipline – Pattern Match
Effective Aug. 15, 2020 In the firearm/toolmark pattern match Uniform Language for Testimony and Reports (ULTR), the new guidance for Department of Justice firearm examiners includes: [A]n examiner shall not: assert that a ‘source identification’ or a ‘source exclusion’ conclusion is based on the ‘uniqueness’ of an item of evidence. use the terms ‘individualize’ or …
Approved ULTR for the Forensic Firearms/Toolmarks Discipline – Pattern MatchRead More
Approved ULTR for the Forensic Latent Print Discipline
Effective Aug. 15, 2020 In the fingerprint Uniform Language for Testimony and Reports (ULTR), the new guidance for Department of Justice fingerprint examiners includes: [A]n examiner shall not: assert that a ‘source identification’ or a ‘source exclusion’ conclusion is based on the ‘uniqueness’ of an item of evidence. use the terms ‘individualize’ or ‘individualization’ when …
Approved ULTR for the Forensic Latent Print DisciplineRead More
Childrens Allegations of Sexual Abuse in Criminal Trials: Assessing Defense Attacks on Credibility and Identifying Effective Prosecution Methods
Date: February 2020 Author: Stacia N. Stolzenberg Annotation: This study examined how attorneys establish and attack children’s credibility in cases that involve alleged child sexual abuse (CSA), and assessed how attorneys phrased questions for such children, how children responded, and whether questioning practices were sensitive to the developmental level of the child.